Red Mile: Brandon Blvd, Endurance now two-for-two in Kentucky Championship Series

Two-year-old pacing colt Brandon Blvd and rookie colt trotter Endurance won for the second straight time in the Kentucky Championship Series at The Red Mile after taking their respective $80,000 contests on Wednesday.

The dash for the pacers was part of the canceled card on Tuesday and was held as one of seven non-wagering races prior to the Wednesday pari-mutuel program. Funky Buddha (Todd McCarthy) led the way through fractions of 27, 54 4/5 and 1:22 2/5 and opened up a gap on the others on the final bend as Fearless Partners (Scott Zeron) gapped in the pocket and Panther Hill (Dexter Dunn) stalled out from first-over with Brandon Blvd (Tim Tetrick) on his dull cover.

Funky Buddha's advantage on the others wasn't enough, though, as Brandon Blvd was full of pace despite the poor cover and powered into the lead in the stretch. Once he went by Funky Buddha, Brandon Blvd paced away to a 2 1/4 length victory over Funky Buddha in a national-season's record 1:49 3/5, and Ubrute (Yannick Gingras) got up for third.

Andrew Harris trains Brandon Blvd, a Downbytheseaside colt bred by Crawford Farms, and co-owns him with William Pollock and Bruce Areman. Brandon Blvd has won all three of his starts and has earned $85,500.

In the Kentucky Championship Series clash for 2-year-old trotting males, Silverstein (David Miller) hustled to the point from post nine but was passed by Endurance (Andy McCarthy) just after the 28 4/5 quarter. Endurance never relinquished command after that, as he put up middle-half panels of 57 2/5 and 1:25 3/5 and then came home in 27 3/5 to tally by a length in 1:53 1/5. Silverstein was next, followed by Lindy Living (Gingras).

Trainer Chris Beaver also co-owns Endurance, a Captain Corey colt who was bred by Steve Stewart and Martti Ala-Seppala, with partners Bill Manes, Leo Fleming and Mark Moger. Endurance has won four of his five appearances, has pocketed $153,200 and returned $3.40 to win as the 3-5 favorite.

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Winning $30,000 Kentucky Commonwealth Series divisions for pacers were:

--Up In Place (by Lather Up and bred by co-owner John Barnard) in 1:51 2/5 for Andy McCarthy, trainer Tony Alagna and co-owner Alagna Racing LLC.

-- Winnercircleseeker (by Sweet Lou and bred by Randy, Tyler and Zane Wilt) in 1:51 2/5 for driver Yannick Gingras, trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Larry Karr, Phil Collura and Brad Grant.

A trio of Kentucky Commonwealth Series events for trotters were held and the victories went to:

--Inexpressable (by Walner and bred by Menhammar Stuteri Ab and S R F Stable, paid $2.96 to win) in 1:56 for driver Scott Zeron, trainer Lucas Wallin and owners Wallin Racing Stable Inc. and Karin Walter-Mommert;

--Onassis (by Greenshoe and bred by Coyote Wynd Farms, paid $7.82 to win) in 1:55 3/5 for driver Yannick Gingras, trainer Nancy Takter and owners Melco Devim Inc., Joe Sbrocco and Jaf Racing LLC.;

--San Patricio (by Swan For All and bred by co-owner Tony Holmes with Walter Zent, paid $3.68 to win) in 1:55 for driver Tim Tetrick, trainer John Butenschoen and co-owners Michael Holmes, June Zent and Timothy Thornton.

Three $15,000 Kentucky Golden Rod Series flights for pacers were taken by:

--Push Up (by Tall Dark Stranger and bred by Crawford Farms, paid $11.02 to win) in 1:53 1/5 for driver Andy McCarthy, trainer Tahnee Camilleri and owners Kap Singh Racing Stable and Stephen Klunowski - this race was held Tuesday prior to the cancelation;

--Sneaky Squeaky (by Heston Blue Chip and bred by Let It Ride Stables and Bottom Line Racing) in 1:53 1/5 for trainer/driver Joe Bongiorno and owner Morrison Racing Stables;

--Thiago Hanover (by Tall Dark Stranger and bred by Hanover Shoe Farms Inc.) in 1:51 1/5 for driver Yannick Gingras, trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Larry Karr, Knox Services Inc. and Beasty LLC.

Trotters also battled in three splits and going to the winner's circle were:

--Midwind Chimp (by Gimpanzee and bred by Midwind Farms, paid $10.34 to win) in 1:56 4/5 for driver Mattias Melander, trainer Marcus Melander and owner S R F Stable;

--Deuce Pop (by Tactical Landing and bred by co-owner Atlantic Trot Inc., paid $3.82 to win) in 1:55 2/5 for driver Todd McCarthy, co-owner/trainer Randy Jerrell and co-owner Steve Stewart;

--Captain Naughty (by Captain Corey and bred by owner Denise Dennis, paid $4.12 to win) in 1:56 1/5 for driver Dexter Dunn and trainer Justin Lloyd.